Best of Design Week, Pt 5: Playful Swings and an All-in-One Cube Home

We are awarding 100 of the best products, installations and artworks we spot throughout Toronto Design Week with our Designlines Loves tags, specially designed by Sali Tabacchi.

Below is the second batch of designs that caught our attention. Keep track of everything we’ve tagged in our master list and check back as we spotlight more of our great finds in the days ahead.

1 The Tempest
This magical short film – based loosely on Shakespeare’s final play – is projected from inside an architecture studio and visible to passerby on Dundas Street West once the designers turn off the lights at the end of the workday (it plays roughly from 5pm to midnight). The work of Morgan O’Reilly, the film depicts the tale of stranded traitors on a magical island. Stamps collected from all over the globe are pieced together to create 3-D dioramas and then, using an age-old theatre illusion called Pepper’s Ghost, O’Reilly films her characters atop these backdrops. I loved watching the sprightly figures explore the juxtaposed environments.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at Luc Bouliane Architect, 1259 Dundas St W

2 W-Dream
W Studio launched an incredible new line of rugs that allows photo realistic imagery to be printed directly onto the weave. Additional bonuses: buyers can choose an image from a vast catalogue or bring in their own; all sizes and shapes are available; and spills pool on the surface. The rug shown here is No. W62.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

3 Smeg World
Euro-Line Appliances was showing its top tier of manufacturers, with Smeg stealing the show. This compact kitchen set-up with the brand’s fridge, stove, range hood, and counter-top appliances in white with black details is what (my) dreams are made of.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

4 Swings by Philippe Malouin
Caesarstone sure knows how to pull on our heart strings. The surfacing giant called upon Canadian design darling Malouin to illustrate the possibilities of the material and the joy of creativity. The 12-seat circular swing set features natural-looking colours from Caesarstone’s Classico and Supernatural lines.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

5 Sebastian Herkner
Avenue Road celebrates German designer Sebastien Herkner, whose work ranges from glass lighting to felt clocks, bisque porcelain vases and plush, modular sofas. Much of it is colourful and jubilantly contemporary. The Wooster Street chair, too, is playful, with it’s thick, tubular frame made of solid wood and backrest woven from nautical rope. Lots of colour combinations are available.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

6 Vele by Lago
Suite 22‘s booth would be such a lovely place to live – kitted out with gorgeous and innovative Italian trappings. Lago‘s Vele bed is an eye catcher with its triple-layer upholstered headboard made for stashing books, eyeglasses, cellphones etcetera. Adjustable side tables provide extra surface space for bedtime necessities.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

7 Cut & Fold
After a successful Kickstarter campaign the Cut and Fold chair is ready for the taking. Devised by local architects, Tony Round and Andrea Kordos of blackLAB, this version of the collapsible chair is made of wood veneer covered with cowhide.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

8 Everything Table and Well Light
Toronto designer Ryan Taylor has added more to his Object Interface collection of residential products. The Everything Table, made of steel, aluminum and tempered glass features a five-inch hole to allow access to its deep interior – perfect for cultivating plants, stashing toys or even acting as an ice bucket. Also new is Well Light whose pill-shaped pendant can be combined with a variety of plant-friendly diffusers.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

9 Mettro Source‘s sexy new tiles
Tile lovers Myriam Velasquez and Sean O’Neail bring another dose of fun, colour and energy to their boutique tile business with these Spanish ceramics featuring anime characters and cursive.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

10 Sit Chair by Bivaq
Made in Spain, Bivaq’s collection of indoor-outdoor chairs are subtle beauties with silky smooth finishes and elegant forms. The comfy Sit Chair – found at Tusch Seating‘s booth – would be right at home poolside.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

11 Heidi Earnshaw + Susie Osler
Earnshaw’s fine woodworking with Osler’s painterly clay tableware is a perfect pairing. Do see their work up close and personal in the Maker portion of the show.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

12 Cubitat
Venetian designer Luca Nichetto and local developer Urban Capital team up to present a plug and play concept of living. All four sides of the completely-customizable cube offers modular eat, sleep, work and play spaces with the interior enclosing a walk-up bathroom. Very cool.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show

13 1925 Workbench
1925’s husband and wife team Rock Hunynh and My Le Nguyen make contemporary barn doors – and even the hardware – here in Toronto. The doors are elegant problem-solvers for urban dwellers.
Tagged by Tory Healy on Jan 22, at the Interior Design Show